52 UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO STUDIES 



the western people. It was pushed through against the opposition of the 

 eastern section of the country. The western young men were in Congress 

 and they made their influence felt. This they have not ceased to do 

 notwithstanding the fewness of their numbers nor the scattered constitu- 

 encies they represent. 



One of the most significant effects of the frontier has been its encour- 

 agement of democracy. The doctrine of equal rights for all the popula- 

 tion, man, woman, and child, finds its fullest expression in the legislation 

 of the newer states of the West. This is the region where special privi- 

 leges are likely to be the most unusual. The ideal of liberty is seldom 

 lost sight of and a feeling of personal freedom quite unknown in the 

 eastern lands of steady habits is the abiding prerogative of every citizen. 

 Such a condition of affairs, such an intense democracy has tended to 

 cultivate in our population a boundless spirit of self-reliance. The 

 western states are the last ones to think any sort of paternal legislation 

 necessary. They are the states that are most likely to be opposed to the 

 state regulation of industry. 



Aside from having been a frontier state, Colorado has been and is 

 today very largely a mining state. The character of its population has 

 been in some degree affected by this industry. Mining is a different 

 industry from many of the more routine occupations. It is quite different 

 from agriculture. A very different type of mind is needed to succeed 

 in the mining industry from the type of mind needed for success in 

 agriculture. There are ups and downs in the mining business. A large 

 element of risk is always present. It calls for adventurous men. Timid 

 men do not engage in the mining industry. Men of daring willing to 

 play for large stakes are needed to develop a mining state. 



Men with these traits of mind are restless and more or less unsettled. 

 They are likely to be discontented when compelled to carry on routine 

 industry yielding small returns. The prospect of sudden riches by 

 strikes in mining makes the quiet life in routine industry dull and dis- 

 tasteful. A rich mining strike tends to start a speculative fever in the pop- 

 ulation. And in a population for many years engaged in this kind of in- 

 dustry there is a readiness to undertake speculative enterprises that is not 

 found in the more lethargic states where only routine industry prevails. 



